CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Fourteenth Airlift Squadron Airmen, their families and friends bid each other farewell Dec. 28 as more than 100 14 AS members prepared to board their plane bound for the Middle East.
For approximately 120 days, the Airmen, known at Charleston AFB as the Pelicans, will be deployed and operate out of a single base, managing and flying missions concentrated in and around Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Although, the deployment fell in the middle of the year-end holiday season, it wasn't enough to muzzle the spirit of the 14 AS.
"The morale in the unit is incredible," said Master Sgt. Lisa Peele, 14 AS first sergeant. "I couldn't be prouder to be a Pelican."
The unit's goodbyes came just shy of the ringing in of 2010, and for the 14 AS, New Year's Day was ushered in with full military fashion as Lt. Col. Randy Huiss, 14 AS commander, took the reins of the squadron's deployed unit, the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron during a change of command ceremony Jan. 1.
Control of 816 EAS operations were handed to the 14 AS from the 17th Airlift Squadron, who deployed Aug. 29 from Charleston AFB.
The mission of the 816 EAS is to provide global strategic airlift, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and humanitarian relief, creating an air bridge for personnel, equipment and supplies throughout their assigned areas of responsibility.
Colonel Huiss and Roy Johnson, 437th Operations Group unit deployment manager, said they expect a near seamless transition of operations due to familiarity with the deployed base and the squadron members' familiarity with their 17 AS counterparts.
"One of the interesting aspects of the deployed mission is going to be performing missions across three different areas of responsibility," said Colonel Huiss. "Each has their own rules of engagement and special instructions to follow."
He said although deployments may be common in today's Air Force, their importance is never diminished. The amount of training a preparation the 14 AS underwent to prepare for deployment was enormous, but it is necessary to be ready to hit the ground running, he said.
Gearing up the squadron for deployment also saw difficulties when the unit was assigned local missions just days before departure, said Mr. Johnson. The process was a cumbersome one, he said, in balancing training requirements with operations.
As for the recent announcement of an Afghanistan troop surge, the colonel said it is always expected to see an increase in demand for mobility support during a surge and is confident in his unit's ability to provide support if called upon.
While the squadron is deployed, emphasis on support for families of deployed Airmen will be important, said Sergeant Peele, as many may find difficulty in extended separation.
A strong Key Spouses program and resources available through the Airmen and Family Readiness Center exist to help keep families connected during a deployment and provides a support network, she said.
"We have a very strong Key Spouses group here," said Colonel Huiss. "They really are great."
Additionally, to help Team Charleston's smallest members, the AAFRC coordinates events such as mock deployments and deployment lines, training for local educators to aid military connected children and "Little Heroes" ceremonies to honor children for their sacrifices. The AAFRC also provides resources such as the Sesame Street Talk, Listen, Connect DVD.
To learn about resources and programs for families of deployed Airmen, contact the AAFRC at 963-4406.